When Moms Become Caregivers

Nothing prepared Pat Nixon for the day in February 2011 when her husband, Stan, only 61 at the time, suffered a massive stroke. Now paralyzed on his right side, he also suffered brain damage because his stroke occurred in the pons, or brainstem, which governs consciousness and communication between the brain and the body. “My entire life changed that day, and it will never be the same,” Nixon says.

After one month in rehab—the most time their insurance covered—Stan came home, and Nixon has been a full-time caregiver ever since. “He needs help with everything,” says Nixon. “My days are spent helping him dress, and doing everything else. I don’t leave him except to go for groceries or prescription refills,” she says. “I don’t go to bed at night until I’ve given him his meds and put him to bed. I do this every single day.”

Despite the hardships, Nixon says “I wouldn’t change my decision today if I had to do it all over.”

No one who finds herself in the role of full-time caregiver ever expected to be there. Yet 65 million people in the U.S. alone are family caregivers according to the National Family Caregivers Association. They spend their days and nights in service of spouses, children, and aging parents, usually unpaid and too often un-thanked.

Sharecare is proud to honor these caregivers and offer them information and support.

Nixon is a member of the caregivers support group on Sharecare’s Daily Strength (her username is Gwen21). She says she’s made wonderful friends on the site who support and love each other. “I don’t know how I could have coped all this time without DS and my group of DS friends,” says Nixon.

Sharecare experts offer these tips for taking care of yourself if you’re a caregiver:

• Call on family and friends. It’s okay to ask for help. Hold a family meeting to discuss your loved one’s condition, and give specific ways everyone can pitch in.

• Explore local resources. Half of all caregivers try to go it alone, often because they don’t know what support services are available. Find out what services your community provides. Adult day services, hired companions, certified nurse aides, and home health aides can all help in a number of ways, from preparing meals to providing transportation and even light housekeeping.

• Watch for signs of burnout. Caregiving can take a tremendous toll on your own health. Learn to recognize the warning signs of burnout, and know when to let others help you.

Do you have a caregiving tip? Share it in the comment section below.

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